New technology can make a porcelain tooth in 15 minutes

A Cedar Park dentist said he saves patients' time and money by using the latest technology.

Author: Jenni Lee

Published: 5:58 PM CDT May 26, 2019

Updated: 7:12 PM CDT May 27, 2019

CEDAR PARK, Texas — Walden Dental in Cedar Park uses the Cerec device to make for patients like Emily Young.

"I am getting a crown down on the upper right," said Young, who is also the office manager of Walden Dental.

She has gotten this procedure done before using the conventional method of moldings and by using computer-aided design and computer-assisted manufacturing that utilizes digital impressions. Something that many dentists in the Austin area use.

"It's an hour-and-a-half for one versus two to three weeks the other [way]," Young said.

Dr. David Frank demonstrated the procedure for KVUE.

After numbing the tooth, Dr. Frank scanned it and prepared the crown for milling, or the process of using the CAD/CAM, which takes about 15 minutes.

"The cost-effectiveness is the ability for us not only to have things completed in one visit, not having to have multiple visits, not having to use a lab, not having to outsource products. It also helps us completely avoid for our gagging patients any goo that needs to be rammed into their mouths to where they're constantly choking," Dr. Frank said.

This process is exactly why new patient Anthony Collier sought out Dr. Frank.

"I've been through this before with having a crown done and having to wait and then have to make multiple trips into the dentist, and I just don't have the time for that, number one. Number two, I'm not a huge fan of sitting in the dentist chair," said Collier, who planned to get his teeth whitened before getting new veneers.

Dr. Frank said they use 3D printing for making models of teeth, nightguards and surgical guides.

Walden Dental takes more than 20 kinds of insurance. For more information, click here.